16.00 USD
Nue en collant is a French phrase meaning nude, in (what was essentially) a body stocking. These cards can't exactly be called nudes, since all the "naughty bits" are covered up, but as naive as some of them may seem at first glance, they really are historically important!
Though postcards of this type were certainly passed around and mooned over by Oncle Jacques and his cronies down at the tobacconist's, they were also oohed and aahed over by Mama and her friends in the parlor. The models for these images, some of them very well known celebrities, were modeling something considered a weapon in the war of gender equality by many women of the day.
What we think of as the "union suit" today, the long underwear we often see worn by unshaven prospectors and cowpokes in popular westerns, was originally invented with women in mind and was applauded by the Suffragettes. It came to be called the "union" suit (and often the "liberty" suit), because during our civil war, the union side fought, in part, for the abolition of slavery. So, what's the connection? This outfit offered escape from the "slavery" of the corset! Freedom from the constraints of a fashion industry catering to the tastes of men and not to the comfort of women. What's more, though these images certainly "objectified," this was viewed as a welcome objectification, since these were women whose forms were neither exaggerated by bustles, hidden beneath petticoats, nor squeezed into narrower shapes by tight lacings. These were images seen as very liberating, at the time.
Nue en Collant by Walery of Paris, published by SIP (Société Industrielle de Photographie). Very nice unposted condition.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.